when was the first time two black men fought for the heaveyweight championship

[ripcity]

I was wondering when was the first time two Black Men fought for the Heveyweight Championship of the world. Was it Joe Louis vs John Henery Lewis? Also Was it the first time Two Black Men fought for any World Championship at any weight?

[OLD FOGEY]

I was wondering when was the first time two Black Men fought for the Heveyweight Championship of the world. Was it Joe Louis vs John Henery Lewis? Also Was it the first time Two Black Men fought for any World Championship at any weight?

Jack Johnson against Battling Johnson in 1913, for heavyweights.
At any weight, I don't know, but Barbados Joe Walcott against the Dixie Kid in 1904 is a contender. One has to know who was black among the contenders. Paging Kevin Smith.

[ripcity]

Jack Johnson against Battling Johnson in 1913.
Thanks.

[janitor]

It seems quite likley that George dixon would have met a black challenger during his active title reign. Some sources put him at 33 title defences.

[KSmith9116]

I have always recognized the following bout as the first between black men for a world championship.
1896

March 17 George Dixon TK7 Jerry Marshall, Boston

For the featherweight championship.

Dixon met Walter Edgerton a number of other black men prior to this date, but those were not chmapionship battles.

Gans met a good number of black challengers when he was champion, including Rufe Turner, Dave Holly, Steve Crosby and Buddy King prior to 1904